Some of the stuff is workable, some of it isn't. Relying on punches to the head is a good way to break your hands in the real world - ask Mike Tyson - he did.

The book leaves a lot to be desired and is rather thin. The content is ok - but poorly presented.


Material seems poorly presented   April 20, 2002
 31 out of 35 found this review helpful

Having studied the 5 part Krav Maga video series,which was excellent, and then comparing that information presented with this book, I was disappointed. This book is supposed to be the only authorized written guide for a fighting system developed over a plus 30 year period. This fighting system is widely respected and adopted by many institutions, yet the book does not address in any significant detail, the basic building blocks upon which the rather advanced techniques which are shown must be based. The book addressed defense against knife, handgun, long gun, multiple bad guys, and hand grenade (I'm not joking). Yet basic stances, blocks, strikes, and training methods are barely discussed. As a manual or reference guide, this book is very poorly written. Purhaps I missed the point and the purpose of the book was not to instruct by rather to foster interest in people with regard to this self defense system by showing its capabilities.


Excellent presentation of self-defense technique   April 8, 2002
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Krav Maga is a breath of fresh air in a world of commercial "get your black belt in 6 months" martial arts studios. Self defense and martial arts overlap but may be different in their ultimate purpose (e.g. winning the next tournament vs. surviving on the street). For people interested in protecting themselves, this book provides valuable insight. If you can take a Krav Maga class near you, the training will help to compliment the insights of this texts...A whole new sense of personal freedom and awareness awaits you.


Good Book   April 7, 2002
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

As a person that has learn't Krav Maga for the last 14 years,I recomend this book,but to be able to protect yourself please get 1 on 1 instruction.If you have served in the I.D.F. then you really don't need this book.Remember if you can escape from a attacker,do it.


highly recommended for anyone interested in self-protection   March 9, 2002
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This book achieves exactly what it sets out to do in the title: how to defend yourself against armed assault. it shows what are for me the best tactics developed to do so. some reviewers have suggested that krav maga is nothing new; the authors never claim that it is. indeed, imi sde-or's background in traditional martial arts is mentioned repeatedly. but some tactics are new- there were not very many handguns around in the heyday of karate/kung fu/ju-jitsu. and krav maga does work. everyone's favourite australian reviewer critizises km gun defences, suggesting blocking the hammer instead. but that won't work with all handguns- many have covered hammers, or are hammerless, like the glock used to demonstrate the defences.
in conclusion, if you are worried about armed attack, get this book. AND TRAIN THE DEFENCES SO YOU CAN PERFORM THEM UNDER STRESS! otherwise it will be of little use.